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Woman.

From: The New Topical Textbook By: Reuben Archer Torrey

• 4 min. read • grade level: 12

Origin and cause of the name. Gen. 2:23²³And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. (Genesis 2:23).

ORIGINALLY MADE

By God in His own image. Gen. 1:27²⁷So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:27).

From one of Adam's ribs. Gen. 2:21, 22²¹And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; ²²And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (Genesis 2:21‑22).

For man. 1 Cor. 11:9⁹Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. (1 Corinthians 11:9).

To be an helpmeet for man. Gen. 2:18, 20¹⁸And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18)
²⁰And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:20).

Subordinate to man. 1 Cor. 11:3³But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3).

To be the glory of man. 1 Cor. 11:7⁷For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. (1 Corinthians 11:7).

Deceived by Satan. Gen. 3:1-6¹Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ²And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: ³But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. ⁴And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: ⁵For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. ⁶And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:1‑6). 2 Cor. 11:3³But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3). 1 Tim. 2:14¹⁴And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (1 Timothy 2:14).

Led man to disobey God. Gen. 3:6, 11, 12⁶And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6)
¹¹And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? ¹²And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. (Genesis 3:11‑12).

Curse pronounced on. Gen. 3:16¹⁶Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Genesis 3:16).

Salvation promised through the seed of. Gen. 3:15¹⁵And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15). See Isa. 7:14¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14).

Safety in childbirth promised to the faithful and holy. 1 Tim. 2:15¹⁵Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (1 Timothy 2:15).

CHARACTERIZED AS

Weaker than man. 1 Peter 3:7⁷Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:7).

Timid. Isa. 19:16¹⁶In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he shaketh over it. (Isaiah 19:16). Jer. 50:37³⁷A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed. (Jeremiah 50:37). Jer. 51:30³⁰The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken. (Jeremiah 51:30). Nah. 3:13¹³Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars. (Nahum 3:13).

Loving and affectionate. 2 Sam. 1:26²⁶I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. (2 Samuel 1:26).

Tender and constant to her offspring. Isa. 49:15¹⁵Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. (Isaiah 49:15). Lam. 4:10¹⁰The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people. (Lamentations 4:10).

To wear her hair long as a covering. 1 Cor. 11:15¹⁵But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. (1 Corinthians 11:15).

Good and virtuous, described. Prov. 31:10-28¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. ¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. ¹²She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. ¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. ¹⁴She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. ¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. ¹⁶She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. ¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. ¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. ¹⁹She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. ²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. ²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. ²²She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. ²³Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. ²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. ²⁵Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. ²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. ²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. ²⁸Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (Proverbs 31:10‑28).

Virtuous, held in high estimation. Ruth 3:11¹¹And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. (Ruth 3:11). Prov. 31:10, 30¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)
³⁰Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. (Proverbs 31:30).

FREQUENTLY

Fond of self-indulgence. Isa. 32:9-11⁹Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech. ¹⁰Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come. ¹¹Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins. (Isaiah 32:9‑11).

Subtle and deceitful. Prov. 7:10¹⁰And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtile of heart. (Proverbs 7:10). Ecc. 7:26.

Silly and easily led into error. 2 Tim. 3:6⁶For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (2 Timothy 3:6).

Zealous in promoting superstition and idolatry. Jer. 7:18¹⁸The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. (Jeremiah 7:18). Ezek. 13:17, 23¹⁷Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, (Ezekiel 13:17)
²³Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 13:23).

Active in instigating to iniquity. Num. 31:15, 16¹⁵And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? ¹⁶Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord. (Numbers 31:15‑16). 1 Kin. 21:25. Neh. 13:26²⁶Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. (Nehemiah 13:26).

Generally wore a vail in the presence of the other sex. Gen. 24:65⁶⁵For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. (Genesis 24:65).

Generally lived in a separate apartment or tent. Gen. 18:9⁹And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. (Genesis 18:9). Gen. 24:67⁶⁷And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. (Genesis 24:67). Esther 2:9, 11⁹And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. (Esther 2:9)
¹¹And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. (Esther 2:11).

Submissive and respectful to husbands. 1 Peter 3:6⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. (1 Peter 3:6), with Gen. 18:12¹²Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? (Genesis 18:12).

OF DISTINCTION

Fair and graceful. Gen. 12:11¹¹And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: (Genesis 12:11). Gen. 24:16¹⁶And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. (Genesis 24:16). SoS. 1:8. Amos 8:13¹³In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. (Amos 8:13).

Haughty in their deportment. Isa. 3:16¹⁶Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: (Isaiah 3:16).

Fond of dress and ornaments. Isa. 3:17-23¹⁷Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts. ¹⁸In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, ¹⁹The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, ²⁰The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, ²¹The rings, and nose jewels, ²²The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, ²³The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. (Isaiah 3:17‑23).

Wore their hair plaited and adorned with gold and pearls. Isa. 3:24²⁴And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. (Isaiah 3:24), with 1 Tim. 2:9⁹In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (1 Timothy 2:9).

Of the poorer classes swarthy from exposure to the sun. SoS. 1:5, 6.

YOUNG

Called maids. Ex. 2:8⁸And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother. (Exodus 2:8). Luke 8:51, 52⁵¹And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. ⁵²And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. (Luke 8:51‑52).

Called damsels. Gen. 24:55⁵⁵And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. (Genesis 24:55). Mar. 5:39.

Called virgins. Gen. 24:16¹⁶And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. (Genesis 24:16). Lam. 1:4⁴The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness. (Lamentations 1:4).

Gay and mirthsome. Judg. 11:34³⁴And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. (Judges 11:34). Judg. 21:21²¹And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin. (Judges 21:21). Jer. 31:13¹³Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. (Jeremiah 31:13). Zech. 9:17¹⁷For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. (Zechariah 9:17).

Kind and courteous to strangers. Gen. 24:17¹⁷And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. (Genesis 24:17).

Fond of ornaments. Jer. 2:32³²Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number. (Jeremiah 2:32).

Required to learn from and imitate their elders. Titus 2:4⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (Titus 2:4).

Inherited parents' property when there was no male heir. Num. 27:8⁸And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. (Numbers 27:8).

Could not marry without consent of parents. Gen. 24:3, 4³And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: ⁴But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. (Genesis 24:3‑4). Gen. 34:6⁶And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him. (Genesis 34:6). Ex. 22:17¹⁷If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. (Exodus 22:17).

Not to be given in marriage considered a calamity. Judg. 11:37³⁷And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. (Judges 11:37). Psa. 78:63⁶³The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. (Psalm 78:63). Isa. 4:1¹And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. (Isaiah 4:1).

Often taken captive. Lam. 1:18¹⁸The Lord is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. (Lamentations 1:18). Ezek. 30:17, 18¹⁷The young men of Aven and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity. ¹⁸At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity. (Ezekiel 30:17‑18).

Punishment for seducing, when betrothed. Deut. 22:23-27²³If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; ²⁴Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbor's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you. ²⁵But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die: ²⁶But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbor, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: ²⁷For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her. (Deuteronomy 22:23‑27).

Punishment for seducing, when not betrothed. Ex. 22:16, 17¹⁶And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. ¹⁷If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. (Exodus 22:16‑17). Deut. 22:28, 29²⁸If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; ²⁹Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. (Deuteronomy 22:28‑29).

Often treated with great cruelty in war. Deut. 32:25²⁵The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. (Deuteronomy 32:25). Lam. 2:21²¹The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied. (Lamentations 2:21). Lam. 5:11¹¹They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah. (Lamentations 5:11).

Of distinction, dressed in robes of various colors. 2 Sam. 13:18¹⁸And she had a garment of divers colors upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. (2 Samuel 13:18). Psa. 45:14¹⁴She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. (Psalm 45:14).

Were required to hear and obey the law. Josh. 8:35³⁵There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them. (Joshua 8:35).

Had a court of the tabernacle assigned to them. Ex. 38:8⁸And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Exodus 38:8). 1 Sam. 2:22²²Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (1 Samuel 2:22).

Allowed to join in the temple-music from the time of David. 1 Chron. 25:5, 6⁵All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. ⁶All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. (1 Chronicles 25:5‑6). Ezra 2:65⁶⁵Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women. (Ezra 2:65). Neh. 7:67⁶⁷Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women. (Nehemiah 7:67).

OFTEN ENGAGED IN

Domestic employments. Gen. 18:6⁶And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. (Genesis 18:6). Prov. 31:15¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. (Proverbs 31:15).

Agriculture. Ruth 2:8⁸Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: (Ruth 2:8). SoS. 1:6.

Tending sheep. Gen. 29:9⁹And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them. (Genesis 29:9). Ex. 2:16¹⁶Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. (Exodus 2:16).

Drawing and carrying water. Gen. 24:11, 13, 15, 16¹¹And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. (Genesis 24:11)
¹³Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: (Genesis 24:13)
¹⁵And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. ¹⁶And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. (Genesis 24:15‑16). 1 Sam. 9:11¹¹And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here? (1 Samuel 9:11). John 4:7⁷There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (John 4:7).

Grinding corn. Matt. 24:41⁴¹Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:41). Luke 17:35³⁵Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Luke 17:35).

Spinning. Prov. 31:13, 14¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. ¹⁴She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. (Proverbs 31:13‑14).

Embroidery. Prov. 31:22²²She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. (Proverbs 31:22).

Celebrating the victories of the nation. Ex. 15:20, 21²⁰And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. ²¹And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. (Exodus 15:20‑21). Judg. 11:34³⁴And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. (Judges 11:34). 1 Sam. 18:6, 7⁶And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. ⁷And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. (1 Samuel 18:6‑7).

Attending funerals as mourners. Jer. 9:17, 20¹⁷Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come: (Jeremiah 9:17)
²⁰Yet hear the word of the Lord, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbor lamentation. (Jeremiah 9:20).

Vows of, when married not binding upon the husband. Num. 30:6-8⁶And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; ⁷And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. ⁸But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the Lord shall forgive her. (Numbers 30:6‑8).

Unfaithfulness of, when married found out by the waters of jealousy. Num. 5:14-28¹⁴And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled: ¹⁵Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance. ¹⁶And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the Lord: ¹⁷And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water: ¹⁸And the priest shall set the woman before the Lord, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse: ¹⁹And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse: ²⁰But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband: ²¹Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The Lord make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the Lord doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell; ²²And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen. ²³And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water: ²⁴And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter. ²⁵Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the Lord, and offer it upon the altar: ²⁶And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water. ²⁷And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. ²⁸And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed. (Numbers 5:14‑28).

Punishment for injuring, when with child. Ex. 21:22-25²²If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. ²³And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, ²⁴Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. (Exodus 21:22‑25).

To be governed by, considered a calamity by the Jews. Isa. 3:12¹²As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. (Isaiah 3:12).

To be slain by, considered a great disgrace. Judg. 9:54⁵⁴Then he called hastily unto the young man his armorbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. (Judges 9:54).

Considered a valuable booty in war. Deut. 20:14¹⁴But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given thee. (Deuteronomy 20:14). 1 Sam. 30:2²And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. (1 Samuel 30:2).

Often treated with great cruelty in war. 2 Kin. 8:12. Lam. 5:11¹¹They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah. (Lamentations 5:11). Ezek. 9:6⁶Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. (Ezekiel 9:6). Hos. 13:16¹⁶Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up. (Hosea 13:16).

ILLUSTRATIVE

(Gloriously arrayed,) of the Church of Christ. Psa. 45:13¹³The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. (Psalm 45:13). Gal. 4:26²⁶But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:26), with Rev. 12:1¹And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: (Revelation 12:1).

(Delicate,) of backsliding Israel. Jer. 6:2²I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman. (Jeremiah 6:2).

(Chaste and holy,) of saints. SoS. 1:3. 2 Cor. 11:2²For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2). Rev. 14:4⁴These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4).

(Lewd,) of the Roman apostacy. Rev. 17:4, 18⁴And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: (Revelation 17:4)
¹⁸And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:18).

(Wise,) of saints. Matt. 25:1, 2, 4¹Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. ²And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (Matthew 25:1‑2)
⁴But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (Matthew 25:4). (Foolish,) of mere professors. Matt. 25:1-3¹Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. ²And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: (Matthew 25:1‑3).

(At ease and careless,) of a state of carnal security. Isa. 32:9, 11⁹Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech. (Isaiah 32:9)
¹¹Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins. (Isaiah 32:11).

(Forsaken) of the church of Israel in her captivity. Isa. 54:6⁶For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. (Isaiah 54:6).

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The New Topical Textbook

• Waiting Upon God.

• Warfare of Saints.

• Watchfulness.

• Wave-Offering.

• Wicked, the, Are Compared to.

• Wisdom of God, the.

• Witness of the Holy Ghost.

• Woman.

• Works, Good.